Appeals from the Order of the Superior Court entered October 7, 1987 at No. 2913 and 3201, Philadelphia 1985, vacating the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia entered September 30, 1985, at No. 3221, may Term, 1985, and quashing the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia entered November 4, 1985 at No. 3221, May Term, 1985. Pa. Super. A.2d (1988)

This appeal has evolved from a procedural morass and presents us with an opportunity to discuss the concept of forum non conveniens. The underlying facts of this case are as follows. On June 3, 1983, Lynn F. Okkerse was in a serious car accident which occurred at the intersection of New Gulph and Avon roads, located in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County.

Suit was instituted on Mrs. Okkerse's behalf by her husband.*fn1 The Okkerse suit was filed in Philadelphia County against the following defendants: Edward J. Howe, III (the driver of the other car involved in the accident); the Ford Motor Company (the manufacturer of Mrs. Okkerse's car); George, Arthur, and Elizabeth Pfaumer (the owners of a property which was allegedly overgrown, thereby obscuring the entrance to the intersection); Lower Merion Township (the municipality which had the responsibility of exercising control over the intersection); the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the owner of the intersection where the accident occurred; Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Erdman (social hosts who allegedly served alcoholic beverages to defendant Howe); and twenty-two individual property owners (who allegedly owned the road which led into the intersection). In the present appeal the significant parties are the plaintiffs and some of the property owners.

Although the situs of the accident was in Montgomery County the institution of suit in Philadelphia was permissible because two of the defendants, Ford Motor Company, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, had business offices in Philadelphia.*fn2 Thus, there is no jurisdictional

[ 521 Pa. Page 514]

venue issue in this case, and the issue is solely one of forum non conveniens. In resolving this issue the following procedural history is germane.

On June 28, 1985, owner-defendants William C. and Margaret R. Pickett, filed preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer to the Okkerse complaint. These objections were assigned to the Honorable Alfred J. DiBona, Jr., for disposition. On July 16, 1985, owner-defendants George, Arthur, and Elizabeth Pfaumer filed preliminary objections on behalf of themselves and three other owner-defendants,

[ 521 Pa. Page 515]

raising, inter alia, issues of improper venue and the inconvenience of the Philadelphia forum. These objections were also assigned to Judge DiBona.

Thereafter, on August 5, 1985, another owner-defendant, Virginia Denison, filed preliminary objections in which she sought to include a "Petition to Transfer Venue."*fn3 However, for some unexplained reasons these filings were not assigned to Judge DiBona: rather, they were assigned to the Honorable Thomas White.

On August 27, 1985, Judge DiBona ruled on the filings which were before him: he denied the request for demurrer filed by the Picketts; and he denied the request for dismissal on improper venue grounds filed by the Pfaumers without prejudice to the Pfaumers' rights to file a separate petition for a change of venue.

On September 17, 1985, the Pfaumers did file a "Petition Raising a Lack of Venue and Forum Non Conveniens" which was joined by the Township. This petition was also assigned to Judge DiBona.

Then, on September 30, 1985, prior to Judge DiBona's ruling on the Pfaumers' petition, Judge White, without taking any evidence, granted the portion of Ms. Denison's filing which sought to transfer the case on forum non conveniens grounds.*fn4

On October 7, 1985, 372 Pa. Super. 645, 534 A.2d 1123, Judge DiBona ruled on the Pfaumers' petition to transfer, and denied the request for a transfer. The Pfaumers requested reconsideration of this order, raising the fact of Judge White's order on the Denison "petition". This request

[ 521 Pa. Page 516]

for reconsideration was denied on November 4, 1985, and the Pfaumers filed a timely appeal to the Superior Court.*fn5

No. 88 E.D. Appeal Docket, 1988

Upon receiving the second appeal the Superior Court consolidated the two cases. The court held that the Pfaumers' appeal was interlocutory and thus not properly before the court. That appeal was then quashed. The Pfaumers now challenge that ruling on two grounds: that the Superior Court erred in its interpretation of the procedural rules, and that the trial court order on their petition was entered without that court having had jurisdiction.

Regarding the first challenge we conclude that the Superior Court's interpretation of the rules, the analysis applied was absolutely correct. Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 311(c) permits appeals to be taken of right from orders changing venue. On the other hand, orders sustaining a plaintiff's choice of venue may only be appealed as of right where the party benefitting from the order files an election that the order shall be deemed final, or where the court states that a substantial issue of jurisdiction is presented. Pa.R.A.P. 311(b). As the Superior Court noted, neither of the latter situations existed in this case. As a consequence the Superior Court had no alternative but to find the Pfaumers' appeal interlocutory and to dismiss it.

In their second challenge appellants argue that Judge White's ruling on the Denison petition had the effect of transferring the entire action, and divested Judge DiBona of jurisdiction in this matter; therefore, it is contended, that Judge DiBona's decision was a nullity.

It is true that judges of coordinate jurisdictions sitting in the same court and in the same case should not overrule the decisions of each other. Marmara v. Rawle, 264 Pa. Super. 229, 238, 399 A.2d 750, 755 (1979). See

[ 521 Pa. Page 517]

a plaintiff's 1 choice of forum is not unassailable and the availability of a forum non conveniens challenge is a necessary counterbalance to insure fairness and practicality. See Ernest v. Fox Pool Corp., 341 Pa. Super. 71, 491 A.2d 154 (1985). Because, however, of the weight accorded to the plaintiff's original choice courts have held that he or she should not be deprived of the advantages presumed to come from that choice

"unless the defendant clearly adduces facts that 'either (1) establish such oppressiveness and vexation to a defendant as to be out of all proportion to plaintiff's convenience . . . or (2) make trial in the chosen forum inappropriate because of considerations affecting the court's own private and public interest factors' [but] unless the balance is strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiff's choice of forum should rarely be disturbed."

Thus, the party seeking a change of venue bears a heavy burden in justifying the request, and it has been consistently held that this burden includes the demonstration on the record of the claimed hardships. The Rules of Civil Procedure provide for a procedure whereby a complaining party can develop such a record, and this procedure has been recognized and endorsed by the Superior Court:

a proper procedure under Rule 1006(d)(1) necessarily implicates the requirements for petition and answer set forth in Pa.R.C.P. 206 through 209, including the taking of evidence by deposition or otherwise on disputed issues of fact

The importance of developing this on the record evidence becomes apparent when one looks to the factors which a

[ 521 Pa. Page 519]

trial judge must consider before ordering a transfer. Those factors include:

the relative ease of access to sources of proof, availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling, and cost of obtaining attendance of willing witnesses; possibility of view of premises, if a view would be appropriate to the action; and all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious, and inexpensive . . . . The court must also consider those elements in which the public has an interest and those include: problems of creating court congestion and imposing jury duty upon people of a community which has no relation to the litigation; . . .

Certainly, in the context of the present case, Ms. Denison had a reasonable basis upon which to seek a transfer of the action. However, it was improper to effect this transfer solely on the basis of her allegations of a hardship. This is especially so where the key allegations made by petitioner were specifically denied in the answer filed by the plaintiffs, thereby creating a factual controversy. Based on the above cited authority Ms. Denison was required to demonstrate how the Philadelphia forum adversely affected her ability to defend against plaintiff's cause of action; and the plaintiffs were certainly entitled to defend their choice of forum.*fn9

[ 521 Pa. Page 520]

Therefore, the Superior Court was correct in reversing Judge White's order since it was clearly based upon an inadequate record.

5

In summary, regarding the two issues which were properly before the Superior Court, i.e. whether the Pfaumers' appeal should have been quashed, and whether Judge White's order of transfer was supportable, the Superior Court ruled correctly. However, once having ruled on what was properly within the court's jurisdiction the case should have been remanded to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. Unfortunately the Superior Court did not do this.

Instead, the court, after having quashed the Pfaumers' appeal then sought to review the merits of Judge DiBona's refusal to transfer the case. This was clearly an advisory opinion; and such an opinion is without legal effect. We, therefore, specifically disagree with that part of the Superior Court opinion which sought to pass judgment on Judge DiBona's refusal to order a transfer.

In conclusion, the confused state of the procedural history in this case has obviously contributed to difficulties which have arisen. This confusion also has necessitated a somewhat unique remedy. Ordinarily the failure of parties to sustain their burden of supporting a petition to transfer venue on forum non conveniens grounds would result in 6 venue remaining where the plaintiff has chosen, without further opportunity to seek a transfer. However, in this case, because Judge DiBona's order was a nullity, and to avoid any possibility of a conflicting decision, we now direct that the Denison petition*fn10 be consolidated with the Pfaumers'

[ 521 Pa. Page 521]

petition for consideration and disposition; and the presiding judge shall be free to rule on the consolidated petitions without regard to prior orders which have now been vacated or reversed.

Accordingly for the above stated reasons the order of the Superior Court is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the matter is remanded to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia.

LARSEN, Justice, concurring and dissenting.

I agree with the majority herein that Superior Court properly 1) quashed as interlocutory the appeal from the order of 7 Common Pleas Court Judge DiBona refusing to reconsider his order denying the Pfaumers' petition to transfer; and 2) vacated the order of Common Pleas Court Judge White granting the Denison petition for change of venue in that there was no record basis on which to sustain this order.

I disagree, however, that Superior Court erred in reviewing "the merits of Judge DiBona's refusal to transfer the case." Maj. op. at 520. In support thereof, I adopt that part of the opinion of Superior Court where that court states:

It is clear . . . that Judge DiBona had before him sufficient facts to decide the issue of convenience, and that his disposition was based on a careful consideration of all relevant factors. Therefore, there can be nothing gained by a remand of the issue to Judge White nor entertainment of similar petitions by other parties to this action. To hold otherwise would only result in further

[ 521 Pa. Page 522]

delay of a hearing on the merits of the case below. (Footnote omitted)

Opinion of the Court at 8-9 (Oct. 7, 1987).

Accordingly, I would affirm the order of Superior Court which quashed the appeal from the order of Judge DiBona, vacated the order of Judge White, and remanded 8 for proceedings consistent with its memorandum opinion.

ZAPPALA, Justice, concurring and dissenting.

Unfortunately, the predicate of the majority's analysis is "there is no jurisdictional venue issue in this case, and the issue is solely one of forum non conveniens." Majority opinion pp. 513-514. Such an abbreviated treatment of venue ignores Appellant, Township of Lower Merion, as a party to the litigation.

The specific venue rule applicable in the case sub judice is Pa.R.C.P. 2103(b). The rule provides:

Except when the Commonwealth is the plaintiff or when otherwise provided by an Act of Assembly, an action against a political subdivision may be brought only in the county in which the political subdivision is located.

(emphasis added).

The Township of Lower Merion is located within Montgomery County. However, this factor does not conclude the required analysis because Pa.R.C.P. 1006(c) controls when, as here, there is an action to enforce joint or joint and severable liability against two or more defendants. Pa.R.C.P. 1006(c) provides:

An action to enforce a joint or joint and several liability against two or more defendants, except actions in which the 9 Commonwealth is a party defendant, may be

[ 521 Pa. Page 523]

brought against all defendants in any county in which the venue may be laid against any one of the defendants under the general rule of Subdivisions (a) or (b).

(emphasis added).

Because the Township of Lower Merion is located within Montgomery County and the fact that the Commonwealth is a party defendant, venue can only be proper in Montgomery County.

NO. 88 E.D. APPEAL DOCKET, 1988

I agree with the majority herein that Superior Court properly quashed as interlocutory the appeal from the order of Common Pleas Judge DiBona refusing to reconsider his order denying the Pfaumers' petition to transfer. See Pa.R.A.P. 311(c). Similarly, I agree with the majority that Judge DiBona's ruling on the Pfaumers' petition was contrary to jurisprudential policy and his interpretation of Judge White's order as applying only to the Denison petition was in error. It is at this juncture I part company with the majority in its conclusion that the Pfaumers are not entitled to transfer of venue pursuant to Judge White's order. For the reason set forth in the following section, I must disagree with the majority's conclusion that this matter should be returned to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County for that court to rule on the Pfaumers' petition.

No. 89 E.D. Appeal Docket, 1988

The majority improperly analyzes whether Judge White's order of transfer was supportable. This occurs because the majority engrafts on to Pa.R.C.P. 1006(d)(1) a requirement that a judge in determining forum non conveniens must conduct a hearing in order to develop a record on which to base his order. The plain language of the rule does not require such a result. Furthermore, Pa.R.C.P. 1006(d)(1) is distinguishable from Pa.R.C.P. 1006(d)(2) which requires a hearing when parties seeking a change of venue have alleged reasons why a fair trial can not occur in the county.

[ 521 Pa. Page 524]

The contrasting language of these subsections serves to confirm that a hearing is not required to develop a record in the case sub judice.

Review of the record indicates, however, there was an adequate factual basis for Judge White to have made his decision. In fact, the information before Judge White was virtually indistinguishable from that presented to Judge DiBona, which was later used by Superior Court to finally determine not to transfer 1 the action to Montgomery County. Furthermore, in contrast to Superior Court's determination that there was limited information in the petition and answer, review of the record reveals that both of those documents were accompanied by extensive memoranda of law. This detailed information supplied by the parties addressed each of the important considerations affecting their interests. See Fox v. Pennsylvania Power and Light Co., 315 Pa. Super. 79, 461 A.2d 805 (1983) (ease of access to the sources of proof; availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling witnesses; the cost of obtaining attendance of witnesses; the possible need for a view of the premises, etc.). Because no abuse of discretion can be attributed to Judge White, it can be discerned that Superior Court merely substituted its own judgment for that of Judge White. See Iole v. Western Auto Supply Co., 352 Pa. Super. 528, 508 A.2d 600 (1986).

Accordingly, the order of the Superior Court should be reversed and Judge White's order of transfer of the entire case to Montgomery County should be reinstated.

*fn* This decision was considered and rendered prior to March 7, 1989.

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